Special Interests

1. Architect Eugene Malmer

Background

Eugene Malmer was born in Aurora on March 25, 1873, and was a graduate of East Aurora High School, and the Armour Institute of Technology. From 1893 to 1895 he attended the Chicago School of Architecture at the Art Institute of Chicago, where he studied with William Le Baron Jenney, father of the skyscraper. An alliance was established between the Armour Institute and the Art Institute in 1893, by which the former furnished instruction in the scientific and mathematical branches, and the latter in the artistic and technical work.

Professional Career

Following his education, Malmer became associated with the Chicago architectural firm of his instructor, William A. Otis. Otis lectured on the history of architecture for the Art Institute, in particular the French and Italian Renaissance period. His firm, Otis Architects and Engineers (later Otis and Clark), exhibited in the Chicago Architecture Club Exhibits. This club included the now renowned architects of the Prairie style, including Wright, Maher, Perkins, Spencer, and Talmadge. Malmer was also a member of the Illinois Society of Architects.

Working In Aurora

He also designed and supervised the construction of the original 1904 Carnegie Library in Aurora while employed by William A. Otis. Outside Aurora, Malmer designed the Geneva City Hall where the original drawings are located. In Sandwich, Malmer designed the house at 1100 N Latham Street, which is very similar to the design of the 233 West Park house.

Many other homes are believed to have been designed by Malmer based on the house style and design features. Malmer's houses were often constructed in brick and stucco in the Prairie style, and featured Arts and Crafts elements in the interior design. Features of the Prairie style include:

• Changing from the first floor to the second floor
• Further contributing to the horizontal emphasis
• Half-timbering
• Horizontal design emphasis
• Large overhanging eaves
• Low hipped or gable roof
• Mixture of exterior wall materials

2. Architect Herbert Spieler

Background

Herbert Spieler was born in Elgin in 1898. He attended Armour Technical Institute (now Illinois Institute of Technology) and received a 2-year certificate in 1918. After that, he worked as an architect in Elgin with George Morse.

Working In Aurora

Spieler was influenced by the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright, and attended his lectures in Chicago. The horizontal emphasis of his ranch style homes reflects this influence. Spieler's son, George, has identified the following homes as designed by his father, and has completed renderings showing them as they were originally designed. They include:

• 123, 144, 145, 167, 172 and 246 S Evanslawn Avenue
• 1341 and 1355 W Downer Place
• 145 Ingleside Avenue
• 165 LeGrande Boulevard
• 169 S Elmwood Drive
• 222 S Glenwood
• 255 Lawndale Avenue
• 434 S Edgelawn Avenue
• 824 and 850 Hardin Avenue
• 850, 1405, 1488, 1500 and 1515 Garfield Avenue
• 933 Kensington Place

3. Architect J.E. Minott

Minott established his architectural firm in Aurora in 1872, and was the architect of the following buildings:

• Aurora Fire Station, 51 N Broadway
• German M.E. Church, 523-525 E Downer Place
• Hobbs building, 2 N River Street
• Judson residence at 460 W Galena
• Quereau residence at 419 S Fourth Street
• Rice residence at 461 W Downer Place

The 1886 Aurora Sun stated "The residence of F. B. Rice on the corner of Downer Place and View Streets now approaching completion, presents a handsome appearance and is much admired by all who pass. It is something of the Queen Anne style, every side, corner window and door different. The northeast corner is a beautifully proportional octagon; also the library window is placed in one of smaller size facing the north.

On the east side the house is a fine oriole window; the first story is brick, the second story of fancy shingling, topped off by a roof of tin. The only building so combined in the city. 12 rooms each above and below. The building supplied with hot and cold running water and gas. Mr. Rice expects to occupy a part of the house by Christmas. The building represents $6,000, and Mr. Minott is the happy architect."

Outside Aurora, Minott designed the Masonic Temple in Plainfield at W Lockport Road and Des Plaines Street. It also features Minott's signature onion dome.

4. Architects Worst and Shepardson

Fred W Worst graduated from East Aurora High School in 1887 and joined Minott in 1895 when the firm was renamed Minott and Worst at 53 S LaSalle Street. Ralph Shepardson was a student at the University of Illinois at the time, and in 1904 became a partner with Worst when the firm again was renamed Worst and Shepardson. They were in practice there from 1904 until 1917, and their practice was located in the Coulter Block on the northeast corner of Broadway and Downer.

Their extensive work includes:

• 1916 addition to Copley Hospital
• 495 N Lake Street
• Residential buildings such as the Prairie style house at 427 E Benton Street (1912)
• Tower on the GAR building
• Worst and Shepardson also worked with Adler and Sullivan on the design of the Aurora Watch Factory, which was destroyed

Mary and Fred Worst lived at 749 N Lake in the Wilder House which Then and Now estimated as the oldest house in Aurora, built in 1837 (Then and Now July 5, 1942).

5. Bridges In Aurora

Bridges are a natural feature to find in a city built on a river, yet they go largely unnoticed. Aurora has seen many bridges built in different styles and of different materials. The earliest bridges were constructed of timber. Two of the early timber bridges were dismantled and moved to North Aurora and Montgomery when they were replaced with iron bridges in the 1880s.

The old iron New York Street bridge was much photographed, with its sign which reminded motorists not to drive faster than a walk. It and the original North Avenue iron bridge were constructed with money paid to the city by the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy railroad from stock purchased in 1870. Many concrete bridges were constructed between 1911 and 1931, including bridges at Illinois Street, North Avenue, New York Street, Main Street (now Galena), and Benton Street.

Almost all of the concrete bridges have been rebuilt to match the original design and materials, including different railings and light fixtures for each bridge. The restoration of these bridges is in keeping with the historic fabric of Aurora's early 20th century downtown commercial district, helping to contribute to its unique sense of place.

6. Commemorative Street Names

Blues Alley

Location: Stolp Avenue between Galena Boulevard and Downer Place

The City of Aurora has a rich history in the musical genre known as the "blues." A number of America's most famous blues composers and musicians performed and recorded legendary songs in Aurora between May 1937, and December 1938. They include John Lee "Sonny Boy" Williamson, Yank Rachell, Robert Lee McCoy, Washboard Sam, and Bill "Jazz" Billium. They recorded for Bluebird Records/RCA Victor in the Sky Club at Leland Tower (7 S Stolp Avenue). Sonny Boy Williamson, a songwriter and performer, became widely accepted as the single most influential blues harmonica player of his day and possibly all time.

Dr. Bishop William Haven Donner

Location: Pond Avenue name change to Bonner Avenue

Bonner Avenue was named after Dr. Bishop William Haven Bonner in 1980 to recognize his contributions to his church and community. Bishop Bonner is Pastor of the Mount Olive Church of God in Christ, and also the dean of Aurora Black ministers. Under his leadership, Mount Olive Church broke ground in 1948, and was substantially expanded over the years. In addition, Bishop Bonner serves his church nationwide as the Chairman of Finance and Vice-Chairman of the Budgetary Committee of the Board of Bishops of the International Churches of God in Christ.

Dr. Lloyd A. Hall

Location: Beach Street between Claim Street and Delius Street

During Dr. Hall's 35 year tenure as Chief Chemist and Director of Research at Griffith Laboratories, he was a pioneer in food science, and obtained 27 patents for food processing. During World War II, Dr. Hall served as Chief Inspector of Powder and Explosives and was a member of the Committee on Food Research of the Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Hall graduated in the top ten of his class at East Aurora High School in 1912 when there were only five other African-Americans in the school. He received his bachelor's degree in chemistry from Northwestern University in 1916.

Marie Wilkinson Boulevard

Location: View Street between Illinois Avenue and Plum Street

Marie Wilkinson helped to launch more than 60 charitable organizations in Aurora including Feed the Hungry Program, Hesed House Homeless Shelter, and the Aurora Human Relations Commission which hears complaints of discrimination. Wilkinson gained local prominence in the civil rights movement, and raised $12,000 for the cause. When refused a seat at an Aurora diner in the 1950s, it was Wilkinson who won her case before the Illinois Supreme Court Born Marie LeBeau in New Orleans, Wilkinson studied business at the now defunct Straight College. She settled in Aurora at age 20, where she was married to Charles Wilkinson for more than 60 years.

Pastor Dr. Dezo McGill Avenue

Location: Kane and Loucks Street

For his dedication to living on this block through its violence and hardships, and for his role in making it the better place it is today, the area of Loucks Street between New York and Kane Streets has been named "Pastor Dr. Dezo McGill Avenue."

Prentiss Thompson Avenue

Location: Gilette Avenue between Florida and Illinois Avenues

This area was designated as honorary "Prentiss Thompson Avenue" after the founding member and officer of Aurora Community Study Circles, an organization aimed at improving race relations in Aurora.

Reverend Oliver Shackelford Jr. Memorial Way

Location: Sumner Avenue between New York Street and Grand Boulevard

Rev. Shackelford gave a lifetime commitment in service to his congregation, community and the people of Aurora. He was instrumental in promoting ongoing interracial relations and understanding. Rev. Shackelford earned his Divinity Degree and served as Pastor of Main Street Baptist Church for over 45 years.

Reverend Robert Wesby

Location: Lincoln Avenue between New York Street and Galena Boulevard

Rev. Wesby founded the Progressive Baptist Church in 1963. This church is an outgrowth of Main Baptist Church, the mother church of all other Black Baptist churches in Aurora.

Vernon Louis Parrington Drive

Location: Highland Avenue between Kensington and Galena Boulevard

Vernon Louis Parrington was born in the house on the northeast corner of Highland Avenue and Garfield Avenue. He went on to become one of the leading intellectuals of his day, and won a Pulitzer Prize for History in 1928 for his book, "Main Currents in American Thought."

7. Historic Churches

Annunciation Church, 1875

This congregation was originally ministered to by the priests from St. Peter's Church in Chicago until they were able to build their own church. Annunciation was built in the Gothic style using native limestone in 1875. Luxembourg immigrants were early members of the church.

Location: Near the intersection of Molitor Road and Church Road, Aurora, IL 60505

First United Methodist Church, 1872

The congregation originally founded this church in 1837 in the log cabin of Samuel and Phoebe McCarty. By 1843, a frame church was built for the 30 to 40 members at the current site. It was enlarged on two occasions before constructing the current building in 1872. Built of locally quarried stone in the Gothic style, features of this building include the arched windows, massive support buttresses (vertical masonry supports along the sides of the building), and stained-glass quatrefoil tracery. The original spire was severely damaged in a storm and subsequently removed in 1951. Fire destroyed the original stained-glass windows in 1953, and these have been replaced.

Location: In recent years, the historic church caught on fire, and had to be demolished.

Our Lady of Good Counsel, 1909

The first Our Lady of Good Counsel Church was built in 1909 in the Italianate style on Talma Street. With the expansion of the parish, a new church was later built on Fifth Street in 1952.

Location: 620 Fifth Street, Aurora, IL 60505

St. Nicholas Church, 1882

A designated a local landmark, this Gothic Revival church was constructed primarily by German and Luxembourg immigrants. The congregation is now primarily Hispanic. Levi Waterhouse was the contractor for the church. Constructed of brick with limestone detailing, it features Gothic arched windows with beautiful tracery, stained glass windows, and buttresses.

Location: 302 High Street, Aurora, IL 60505

Balaji Temple, 1983

Padmashri Muttaih Sthapathi, a noted expert on temple construction in India, collaborated with Sri Subhash Nadkarni of Archiform Inc. in Chicago, and together they designed the temple. With a major expansion in 2003, it is the largest Hindu temple in the United States. Nadkarni explained that the temple was designed on the basis of the "Vastu-Shastra" science of architecture.

Vastu Shastra identifies the temple with the universe. It is divided into either 64 or 81 squares. The square diagram of existence, measurable in space, is thus the metaphysical and cosmological plan of the temple. The main parts of the temple are the Garbhagruha or Sanctum, containing the images of God, the Vimanas, the towers over the Sanctum, the Ardhamandapa, the area in front of the Sanctum, the Prakara, the area around the Sanctum, and the Gopuram, the main gateway to the temple. The gateway is massive and magnificent so that when standing in front of it one is made to feel insignificant before the Lord of the universe.

As one proceeds inward (Arthamandapa) leaving behind the grand carvings and decorations of the outside, one notices that the sanctum sanctorum itself is small and dark. One can only see the statue of the Lord when a light is lit up. This indicates that we have to leave the grand external world outside, direct our minds inward, light up the lamp of the knowledge there and behold the Lord within the sanctum of our hearts. The church includes a visitors' center and cultural center.

Location: 145 W. Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL 60505

German Methodist Church, 1887

This is the second church constructed by the German Methodist congregation. It was designed by local architect J.E. Minott, and the "design is taken from the German masters" (Aurora Sun, 1886). It has since changed denominations.

Location: Corner of East Downer Place and Anderson Street, Aurora, IL 60505

St. Mary's Catholic Church, 1872

Constructed in the Gothic Revival style, this church features two corner towers, Gothic arched windows, and buttresses. The rose window above the altar is nine feet in diameter, and was made in the United States. The other windows were designed by a German firm. More than 100 volunteers dug the trenches for the foundation by hand in less than three hours. The original congregation included many Irish immigrants.

Location: 442 E. Downer Place, Aurora, IL 60505

Trinity Episcopal Church, 1869-1871

Still occupied by the founding denomination, this native limestone church was constructed in the Gothic Revival style. The congregation was established in 1849, and services were held in the homes of various members until a brick Gothic style church was built at the northeast corner of Spruce and North Lake Street (demolished). By the 1860s, there were more east side members than west side members, and a movement was started to build this church at South Lincoln Avenue and East Benton Street. Many of the early members were of English descent.

Location: Northwest corner of Benton Street and Lincoln Avenue, Aurora, IL 60505

First Baptist Church, 1887

The First Baptist Church of Aurora had its beginning in 1837 when a small group of settlers began meeting in a school house near Big Woods. A few years later they moved to Aurora, and most of the congregation followed. The first church was a frame structure completed in 1854. In 1886 the original building was moved to the back of the lot and the present church was constructed in the Romanesque style. Stylistic features include the round arched windows grouped in three, and rough-faced stonework. It was designed by the Chicago architectural firm of Edbrooke and Burnham.

Location: Corner of West Galena Boulevard and Oak Avenue, Aurora, IL 60505

Grace Lutheran Church, 1917

The 1917 Neo-Gothic brick chapel at the corner of Oak and Cedar actually represents the first of several building phases along Cedar. It was designed by architect Eugene Malmer. The congregation was organized in 1869 when the Swedish Lutherans of Aurora tired of traveling to Batavia for services. Through the 1940s, services were conducted every other Sunday in Swedish. When the new chapel was completed in 1967, the former sanctuary was converted to a fellowship hall. It is now the Luterana San Francisco de Asis church.

Location: 221 Oak Street, Aurora, IL 60505

St. Michael's Romanian Church, 1918

The early members of this congregation immigrated from the regions of Satu Mare and Salaj in Transylvania, at the time a part of Hungary. The current building replaced the original wooden church that was built in 1908. It is constructed in the Romanesque Revival style, and has been carefully preserved including the interior iconostasis. This is a screen with beautifully painted icons, columns, arches and pediments that separates the chancel space from the congregation.

For more information on the history of St. Michael's, please visit the history page on the St. Michael's Parish website.

Location: Corner of North Lincoln Avenue and Pierce Street, Aurora, IL 60505

Universal Church, 1867

Originally formed in 1842, the Universalist congregation outgrew their first frame church, and built this limestone church in the Romanesque style. Originally the church featured a steeple as high as the existing tower. It was removed when it became unstable. It has since changed denominations.

Location: 230 E. Galena Boulevard, Aurora, IL 60505

First Presbyterian Church, 1902

Organized on June 13, 1858, the First Presbyterian church was initially located on Galena Boulevard. By 1874, they had purchased a lot and built a frame building on South Fourth Street. Having outgrown this facility, the current church was constructed in 1902 in the Romanesque Revival style. Features of the church include the arched Romanesque windows, and the corner turret with conical roof. The original prominent dome on the roof has been removed.

Location: Corner of Downer Place and Fourth Avenue, Aurora, IL 60505

New England Congregational Church, 1890

This church was constructed in the Richardsonian Romanesque style featuring round arched windows and entrance, and a square tower with rough-faced stone arches supported by pillars. The Tiffany rose window was a later addition, and was donated by Hedley Jobbins. The congregation was originally established in 1858.

Location: Corner of West Galena Boulevard and Chestnut Street, Aurora, IL 60505

8. Other Historical Landmarks In Aurora

Aurora City Hospital, 1888

The Aurora Hospital Association was organized in 1886 by a group of civic-minded citizens who raised donations for a hospital building. According to local lore, they were compelled to establish a hospital after an unconscious child was found in the yard of the Oak Street School. With no hospital facility, the child was taken to the jail. The Aurora City Hospital is an excellent example of Queen Anne institutional architecture. Only the cupola and porch roof cresting are missing from the original design.

Characteristic Queen Anne features include the decorative octagonal shingles in the gable of the projecting pavilion, incised brackets and turned columns on the entry porch, the lattice design along with the date on the porch gable, and the bay window supported by heavy scroll-sawn brackets on the south elevation. When the hospital opened in 1888, patients paid $1 per day for a bed, food, and care.

Location: 516 S. Lincoln Avenue, Aurora, IL 60505

The Cooper House

The Cooper house is an excellent example of the Prairie style of architecture. Features of this style include an emphasis on the horizontal lines of the house, art glass windows, and the wide-overhanging eaves. While the architect is unknown, it is thought to be the work of an associate of Frank Lloyd Wright.

Location: 729 W. Downer Place, Aurora, IL 60505

Crane Brown House, Circa 1837

The historic red brick house was constructed in the British "I" plan. Stylistic elements of the dwelling adapt and combine late Federal and Greek Revival styles, including the symmetrical facade, and the heavy limestone lintels over the windows. The home was built of brick manufactured on the site from rich brown clay found beneath the thick topsoil. The brick is laid in an American bond, with header rows every seventh row, with stretcher rows in between. James and Annie Crane Brown were natives of Wayne County, New York, and came west in the fall of 1836. They made claim to the homestead that same year. In 1868 the homestead was sold to a son, DeWit Crane Brown.

Location: 2888 Eola Road, Aurora, IL 60505

Dr. Charles Livingston Agnew House

Dr. Agnew was a prominent physician in Aurora. His house was designated a landmark in honor of his accomplishments as the first African-American physician in Aurora, and the charitable contributions that he made to the community. Dr. Agnew was recognized in the 1913 Funk and Wagnall's Dictionary, which was dedicated and inscribed to him. He graduated from Meharry Medical College in 1895, and came to Aurora in 1907.

Location: 653 N. May Street, Aurora, IL 60505

Fire Station Number Three, 1887

Constructed in the Italianate style, the building still features the original pressed metal decorative cornice and the carved stone inset identifying it as AFD Number 3.

Location: 71 S. Lake Street, Aurora, IL 60505

Fire Station Number Five, 1939

This fire station was designed in the bungalow style to "merge perfectly with its residential surroundings." Ironically, is now a being used as a private residence.

Location: 534 Fifth Avenue, Aurora, IL 60505

George Jungels House

The Jungels family were early immigrants to Aurora from Luxemburg in what became known as the Pigeon Hill neighborhood. Part of the Jungels' farm was an Indian burial ground, which he never plowed out of respect. The house was built by George Jungels Jr. in the 1920s. It is a Four-Square style with Craftsman influences.

Location: 985 Sheffer Road, Aurora, IL 60505

Holbrook Mill, Circa 1840

Constructed of local limestone, the Holbrook Mill is one of the oldest industrial/commercial buildings in Aurora. It was located on land originally owned by Theodore and Esther S Lake, founders of West Aurora. In 1856, Owen C. Hines purchased the property for $1,600. Hines used the building as a livery for almost 20 years. In 1875 Samuel Jackson purchased the building to manufacture carriages. Following his ownership, it was listed as the Holbrook Mill on the 1887 Sanborn map, and has been known by this name ever since.

Location: 121 W. Benton Street, Aurora, IL 60505

Holmes House, Circa 1868

This Italianate style house was originally owned by Jane and William Holmes. William is listed as a guilder in the 1868 City Directory.

Location: 621 E. Downer Place, Aurora, IL 60505

The Ingham Farm, 1858

This original brick farm house was built in 1858 by Samuel S Ingham, an early Sugar Grove settler. It features Greek Revival details including the door surround, divided light windows, and square cupola. Ingham made detailed contracts with specifications for the Aurora contractors who built the house and who resided on the farm during its construction. The family still has many original documents for the farm including the 1840 land deed from the United States government, and papers from when Ingham served as a Colonel in the Spanish American War.

Location: 40W429 W. Galena Boulevard, Aurora, IL 60505

The Ingham School House, 1852

Property for the school house was donated in 1852 by Samuel Ingham. It was also designed in the Greek Revival style, and was used as a rural one room school house until the 1940s when it was converted to a residence.

Location: 40W377 W. Galena Boulevard, Aurora, IL 60505

The James House, Circa 1882

Nelson James and his wife Harriet were over 60 years old when they built this house in the Stick style. It was constructed next door to the Italianate style home they built in 1865 when they originally moved to Aurora. Their son Herman and his family continued to reside in the Italianate home after they moved. Nelson James was a prosperous farmer and salesman who built or improved five properties in Aurora.

Location: 518 W. Downer Place, Aurora, IL 60505

Lawyer House, Circa 1861

Constructed in the Italianate style by Samuel E Lawyer, this house features a brick front gable with decorative brackets.

Location: 328 Hinman Street, Aurora, IL 60505

Mitchell House

A definitive date has not been established for this Greek Revival house constructed of local limestone. The estimated date is sometime between 1830 and 1850. The property was originally owned by Frank Mitchell.

Location: 1040 Aurora Avenue, Aurora, IL 60505

Octagon House

A rare style, the octagon house is the only one of this type in Aurora. It was constructed sometime between 1867 and 1882. Only a few thousand octagon homes were originally built across the country. The style was made popular through a book published by Orson Fowler in 1849.

Location: 83 North Avenue, Aurora, IL 60505

Queen Anne/Shingle House, Circa 1895

This is a unique Queen Anne style house with Shingle style influences, constructed prior to 1895. Decorative features include the fish scale shingles, and pressed metal frieze. The frieze is adorned with a repeated anthemion pattern.

Location: 422 Grand Avenue, Aurora, IL 60505

Riddle House, Circa 1894

An excellent example of the Queen Anne style, the Riddle house was constructed by Clarence and Carrie Riddle. Riddle was the owner of the Aurora Stone Quarry on South Broadway, which explains the unique checkerboard limestone foundation.

Location: 802 E. New York Street, Aurora, IL 60505

Robert Lyall House, 1924

Robert Lyall was a mason in Aurora, and built this house in the Tudor style. Its unusual stonework laid in regular courses with random projecting stones give this house a unique textured appearance.

Location: 1131 E. New York Street, Aurora, IL 60505

Robinson House, 1842

This was the home of pioneer schoolteacher Henrietta Robinson along with her mother and sister, Sally. The home was constructed of locally quarried limestone, and probably a gift from her uncle, Theodore Lake, founder of West Aurora. Henrietta taught at the first private school in Aurora, which was located in the basement of the home of George McCollum at the intersection of Lake Street and Galena Avenue (now Boulevard).

Location: 244 W. Galena Boulevard, Aurora, IL 60505

Thatcher House, Circa 1860

A.T. Thatcher was born in 1809 in Wayne County, New York. He came west with his parents in the year 1838. The Thatchers were amongst the first thirty families to settle in the area after the end of the Black Hawk War. After trying his luck in the California gold rush and operating a grocery store in Naperville, Thatcher built this Greek Revival style home near the current intersection of Ogden Avenue and 75th Street and took up farming. In 1999, the house was in the path of new development. It was purchased by the owners of The Growing Place on Montgomery Road, moved to that site, and restored.

Location: 30W192 Montgomery Road, Aurora, IL 60505

Upshaw Ford House, 1883

Built in the Italianate style, this house features molded panels, paired scroll brackets under the eaves, and molded trim with incised wooden keystones above the tall, narrow windows.

Location: 315 W. Downer Place, Aurora, IL 60505

Victorian Commercial Building, Circa 1870

This building features a decorative brick cornice, brick segmental arched second story windows, and cast iron storefronts. It is one of the few remaining Victorian commercial buildings in the downtown.

Location: 2013 W. Galena Boulevard, Aurora, IL 60505